Multipole electric switch and operating mechanism therefor



Sept.. 29, 1931. H. P. PINKHAM 1,825,159

MULTIPOLE ELECTRIC SWITCH AND OPERATING MECHNISM THEREFOR 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 9, 1930 FPQUWM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 AH. P. PINKHAM Filed July 9, 1930 MULTIPOLE ELECTRIC SWITCH AND OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Sept1 29, 1931.

Sept. 29, 1931. H. P. PINKHAM MULTIPOLE ELECTRIC SWITCH AND OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed July 9, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 Sept. 29, 1931. H, p PINKHAM 1,825,159

MULTIPOLE ELECTRIC SWITCH AND OPERATING lMECHANISM THEREFOR Filed July 9, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 se '57m'.

/sz g MM @PMM L* Patented Sept. 29, 1931 UNiTED STATES glm'ralvr OFFICE HENRY PQPINKVHAIM, OF WOLLASTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CONDIT ELEC- i TRICAL MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, OF SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORKPORATION 0F'A MASSACHUSETTS Application led July 9,

This invention relates to multi-pole electric switches having a separate enclosing casing for each pole unit anda single actuating mechanism common to all `the units; and paru ticularly to frame mounted oil immersed electric switches which are especially adapted for outdoor installation, although the invention is'not necessarily limited to this type of switch.

m In switches for outdoor service, the switch operating mechanism for each pole unit is disposed within an enclosed mechanism compartment, usuallyy in the topof its enclosing casing, and the operating mechanisms of the I5 several switch 'units are usually interconnccted with each other andwith a common actuating mechanism for conjoint operation by a long operatingshaft, or rod, which extends through the mechanism compartments 20 of the switch units and is enclosed in suitable housings between the several pole units, which housings are connected in a weather tight manner to the adjacent switch casings. Under certain conditions hot arc gases and 26 even flame maybe expelled from one switch unit and pass through the housing occupied by the: interconnecting rod into the adjacent switch units and ignite an explosive mixture therein, thus communicating the trouble from one phase to others which otherwise would not be affected. It `constitutes therefore an object of this invention toprovide a multi-pole oil immersed switch for outdoor vService having improved means for intercon- 35 neet-ing the operating mechanisms of the several unitsgwher'cby the mechanismcompartments of the units are isolated from `gaseous intercommunication. n

A further object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive and improved construction whereby any desired number of pole units can be connected together, thus to provide a unitary switching apparatus having a variable number ofpoles. n

A still further object is to provide a simple and effective device forv couplin the proximate ends of the operatingl sha ts of several units without the use of bolted connections, v 50 Avyet' further vobject. of the invention is the IULTIPOLE SWITCH AND OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR y 1930. Serial No. 466,769.

provision of a coupling member for the juxtaposed ends of'two substantially axially aligned operating shafts which has a connectlon with one of said shafts which maintains 1t positively in the horizontal plane including said shaft, but permits a limited movement relative to the vertical plane including the shaft and which coupling has a connection with the other of said shafts which maintains it positively in the vertical plane including the said latter shaft while permitting limited movement relative to the horizontal plane including said shaft, thus to permit said shaftsl to turn freely although somewhat axially disaligned.

Switches, especially for outdoor service, are commonly mounted on a structural-iron frame work which'also constitutes a support for an enclosing housing containing the control apparatus for the switch.y The manufacturer must be ready to supply switches having` the control housing mounted in various positions relative to the frame work. One customer may require the housing mounted on one end of the supporting ,frame @i While another may require that it be mounted in some stipulated position at the side of the frame. This has previously necessitated carrying in stock a large number of parts for connecting the switch actuating mecha- D nism with the cont-rol mechanism of the housing. f

It constitutes another object of this invent-ion to provide a multi-pole switch lhaving actuating mechanism associated therewith which is capable of being mo-unted'in a number of different positions relative to the switchl and frame without changes inthe mechanism o r the su )porting frame thus to permit the location of the control housing in E.) any desired position on thet supporting frame.

A'further object is the provision of a frame mounted electric switch including a. plurality of pole units each having its operating mech- .u anism interconnected by a coupling member v with the next adjacent unit, and actuating mechanism common toall of the pole units arranged to replace any one of saidvk coupling members wherebyto enable the opf erating mechanism to occupy a position between anytwo of the poleunits.

Itis a'further obj ect to provide mechanism for operating a plurality of interconnected switch units'which is especially adapted for use with switches having fabricated enclosing` casings.

VA still further object is the provision of a common actuating mechanism for a row of interconnected switch units which can be connected with the switch unit at either end of the row or between rany two units ofthe row.

It is a still further object .of the invention to provide a plurality of casing enclosed switch units having their operating shafts connected together by coupling members for Y conjoint operation and having weather-proof housings loosely carried bythe casings ythereof and cooperating with said casings to provide a weather-proof enclosure about said Vcoupling'members and between said casings.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an actuating mechanism for a pluralitv of pole units which also constitutes afcoupling member between two of the units and an enclosing housing for the mechanism having a removable cover whereby to permit access to the mechanism at all times.

A vet further object is generally to improve the construction and operation of multi-pole electric switches.

Fig. y1 is an end elevation of a multi-pole electric yswitch embodying the invention showing the control panel mounted at the side of the supporting frame.

' Fig. 2is a plan view of the switch of Fig. l.

l Fig. 3 is a partial plan view showing the Y switch actuating mechanism located between Vis a pair of adjacent pole units. i Fig. 4 is a side elevationof the actuating mechanism, the enclosingcasing being shown in section.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5 5 of Figzl.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing va coupling member between adjacent pole units and the weather-,proof housing therebetween. j f

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the lower casing section for the actuating mechanism. y

. Fig. 8 is a detail of the upper casing section.

device. Y Y Y Fig.` 10l is a-sectional view taken along line Fig. 9 is aside elevation of the semaphore io-io of rig. 9.

diderent'locations of the control panel.

Fig. 12 isa modifiedy construction of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4.

The switching apparatus herein shown is adapted for the control of a'three'phase circuit and includes three similar switch, or pole,

units having common actuating and control mechanism. EachV switch unit includes a switch frame comprising a flat rectangular plate 10 having a central elliptical passage therethrough and a dome-shaped top 12 whichhas its periphery secured, as by welding, to the upper face of said plate about said passagev and which forms an upper mechanism compartment for the switch. An elliptical oil containing receptacle 14 is carried'by and depends below vsaid plate 10 and is held detachably in position therebeneath by means of tie bolts 16, which pass through said plate 10 and. suitable outstanding brackets 17 of saidy receptacle. The dome-shaped top 12 is formed by a pressing operation from rolled -sheet metal and has a vertical side wall 18 and a top wall having oppositely and downwardly .inclined flat portions 19 which are formed with conductor vpassages therein through which a pair of stationary switch.;`

members 20 extend. Said switch members are secured removably in place on said switch top by means of outstanding attaching flanges 21, which seat on said Hat portions 19, and

terminate at their lower ends beneath the oil in stationary contact members, not shown.

Each switch unit is provided with operating mechanism including atransverse operatingl shaft 22, Fig. 6` which extends through Y passages 24 in the side wall 18 of said top 12 and which terminates in Vsubstantially square end portions 26 outside the casing. `Said operating shaft is journalled in a pair of bearing blocks 27 which are secured, as by welding, to the opposed inner faces of the side blocks is provided with a suitablebushing 3()A` in 'which the operating shaft 22 is received Yclosely whereby to minimize oil discharge vabout the shaft where it passes throughV the casing.

The several phase units are adapted to be;`

assembledtogether with their operating shafts 22 in alignment and interconnectedfor conjoint operation. lSaid units maybe supported on a frame work of structural iron and for this purpose the rectangular base plate 10 1 isprovided with extensions 32 at the` ends thereof, which overliel said frame work". As shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 the supporting frame includes the four vertiealcorner angles 34, the parallel sideangles 36 which .-#53

are secured to the upper ends of said corner angles, and the parallel end angles 38 which are also secured to the upper ends o-f` said vcorner angles'. Similarr side and endangles 40 andw42 are secured removably to said eorner angles 34 intermediate the ends thereof to providea rigid self-supporting frame work. `The end extensions 82 of said switch frames v rest upon the horizontal legs of the upper side angles l 36 and -are secured Y. detachably in spaced relation thereon by means of attaching bolts 44 withthe operating shafts 22 in horizontal alignment. As shown most clearly in Fig. 6, the proximate ends. of said operating shafts are connected together for conjoint operation by coupling members 46. Said cou.- p ing .members as herein shown are cylindrical in theirv outward coniiguration and are rovided with an axial s nare assacfe there- 23 through, in which the rectangular end portions of the operating shaft of adjacent units are-received.

Provision is made for slight but sufficient universal movement at the coupling between adjacent switch operating shafts, thus to avoid the necessity for nice alignment of the shafts in `assembling .the several pole units on the frame work and to insure operation of the shafts free from binding. As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 6. the thickness of the shaft between the diametrically opposite faces 47 is reduced slightly from the corresponding internal dimensions of the squared passage through the coupling member, while the juxtaposed cnd'of the operatii haft of the adjacentswitch unit has the diametrical ly opposite faces 48 which are normal to the faces 47 similarly reduced. As thus arranged, the coupling member is held positively in axial alignment with one shaft in a horizontal plane including that shaft and positively in alignment with the adjacent shaft only in a vertical plane including the 'latter shaft, so that a sufficient universal movement of the adjacent shafts relative to each other is provided for.` At the same time the close fit between the coupling member and the other remaining two faces of the saidy shafts prevents angular displacement between the interconnected shafts so that the pole unit most remote from the actuating mechanism will open andclose simultaneously with the unit next adjacent thereto.

Means areprovided to prevent ingress of water to the switch casing about the operating shaft thereof. To this'end a cylindrical sleeve 50 is secured at one end by welding to the outer face of the side wall 1 8 of said switch top about each passage therein. Said sleeves are provided at their free ends with an integral outstanding peripheral flange 52 The diameter of said sleeves 50 is suiiicieinlyv larger than the diameter. of the operat'ng shafts 22 to provide an annular space 54 therebetween in which theends ofthe cylindrical coupling members 46 'are received. Y The confronting flanged ends ofadjacent units are arranged to be enclosed in a weather-prmf housing l which is carried by said sleeves but is free from positive connection ther with. Said housing includes upper and lower-.complemental casing. sections 56 and 58, Figs. 2 and 6, which are provided with outstanding attaching ears 60 through which I bolts 62 are passed to secure Vthe-housing sections removably together. The housing is provided with a'pair of circular openings 59 in the opposite side walls thereof which receive the ysleeves 5() of adjacent switch casings therein, the flanges 52 of said sleeves being `disposed within the housing. The housing thus constitutes a weather-tight enclosure about the ends of adjacent casing sleeves. The lower housing section 58 is provided with horizontal outstanding bosses 64 at its lower side edges which lie beneath and engage the lower surface of the rectangular base plates of the adjacent switch frames and prevent rotation of the housing when it is in place. It will thus be evident that the housing is supported on the adjacent switch casings free from bolted connections therewith and without the use of gaskets. It will also be evident that the housing, due to its loose connection with the switch casings can be of light construction since it is not subjected to mechanical strains in case of slight misalignment of the switch units. The bottom wall of the lower housing section 58 is provided with a vent hole 66 therein, and any switch gases which may be forced under high ypressure between the shaft 22 and the bushing of one switch unit into the housing will be freely vented to the atmosphere through the vent passage 66 and will not pass into the adjacent switch unit. Moisture which may condense within the housing will also he prevented from entering the switch casings through the shafts openings 24.

As shown in figs. l and 2 the actuating mechanism for the switch is located at one end of the aligned operating shafts of the several pole units. Said actuating mechanism is contained within a relatively flat and narrow casing 63 which, so far as interchangeabilitv therewith. is concerned., is identi 'al in width with the housing enclosing the coupling members 46. Said casing includes the complemental upper and lower casing sections 68 and 70, Fig. 4, which are provided with outstanding ears 7 2 at the opposite ends thereof through which clamping bolts 74 pass to securev the casing sections removablv together'. Said casing is provided along the line of separation between the upper and lower sections with aligned circular openings 76 in its opposed side walls in one of which the sleeve of the end switch unit is received with the peripheral flange 52 thereof disposed within the casing and in the other of which a tubular semaphore housing 78, Fig. 10, is received. Said housing 78 is of the same diameter but is somewhat longer than the sleeves 50 surrounding the extended ends of the switch operating shafts and is provided with outturned flanges 79 at its ends which are identical with the flanges 52 of said sleeves. The end of the housing 78 which is' disposed outside of the actuating mechanism casing is permanently closed by adjacent horizontal angle 88 of the supporting frame work. VRotation ofthe actuating mechanism housing about its support on sleeve and the tubular semaphore housing 78 is prevented by outstanding ears 90, Fig. 7, which are formed integral with the lower casing section 7G at a suitable height to overlie the base plate 10 of the end switch unit anda plate QO'which is fixed by welding at one end to angle 88. Bolts 94 extend through the ears 90 and are screw-,threaded into said plates whereby to secure the lower casing section detachably in position. y

Tha-actuating. mechanism, 4as shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, includes a cylindrical coupling member: 98 which is'provided with a squaredipassage 100 therethrough in `whiclris received the proximate endV of the operating shaft. 22 of `the-end switch unit. Said coupling member is provided with an 'integral crank arm 102 which is bifurcated at its ends to receive a link 104, oney endfofV which is pivotally connected therewith by a. pin 106.y The other end of link 104 is pivoted on a pin 108`between the similar ends of a pair of goose neck links 110 which constitute, withlink`104, an'operatingY toggle. Said links 110 are pivotally supportedV on a shaft 111l that is mounted in openings 112 in bosses 113, formed in the'sde'walls of said casing about theV openings 112 therein. Said shaft '111 is held in place in the casing by a pair of plates 114 whichare secured by screws 115 to the opposite side walls of the top casing section 'only in covering relation with the ends of the shaft. ffclaidA toggle links 110 are also provided with integral arms 116V which entend on the opposite l,side of said pivotal Shaft v i Mechanism -is provided for operativelyY interconnecting said actuating mechanism and `suitable control mechanism which isi herein shown enclosed in a housing 118 carried by the supporting frame work.. Said interconnecting mechanism includes a gener which is received at its upper end within saidv llange 124 in which it is held against rotation by a set screw 125. 'Sa-id conduit is received at itslower end in similar upstanding flange 128 locatedvat one end of-ahorizontally eX- tended rectangular bell crank housing .129 into which the lower end of said rod 120feX- tends. Said bell crank housing is prof vided atits other end with vertical flanges 130 outstanding. from the sides thereof by which it is supported on the rear face of a vertical panel 132 whichis carriediby the supporting framework and which constitutes the support for the control apparatus includingthe operating face plate 134. A bell crank lever 135 is pivotally'supported on a pivot pin 136 which is screw threaded into bosses 137 in the opposite side wallsV of said housing 129 and which extends outwardly beyond the housing and is fixed against rotation Vtherein by nuts 138, one ofwhich is Vcrank housing permit access to the lower end of the connecting rod 120 whichis provided with an adjustable clevis 147 at its lower end. The controlV panel 132, Figs. 1 and 11, is

ysupportedV on the frame work by a pair of spaced vertical angles 148 secured to the rear face thereof. Said angles have the Vrearwardly extended legsthereof cut away at the top and bottom in the vicinity of vthe upper and 1 lower frame angles '36 and v40, thus .to provide liat upper and lower attaching portions 149 whichlie flush .against the outer face of said frame angles. Bolts'15() extend through said portions 149 andV the'vertical legs of said frame angles 36and40. The bell crank housing 129 is secured-detachably to the rear face of said panel 132between said vertical angles by bolts 152. p

The control housing 118 comprises a generally rectangular back part 15.3 which is open at the front and back, and a front 'part 154 closure forY the open front of said back part. The open back of said back part is closed by the panel 132 on which it is supported. To this end, an outstanding peripheral flange 155 isformed about the rear edge of said housing through which screws 156 pass which arev screw-threaded into the panel 132. A felt strip'157 is provided between the flange 155 and panel 132 whereby to providea weathertight seal therebetween. The control mechalnism herein shown .diagrammatic-ally .in-

cludes the operating face plate 134 and an automatic re'closing mechanism 158, although Y the patricularv mechanism employed has ino bearing on-this invention. i 'i which constitutes a removable weatherwight Y Conduite 16() are brought through the side Y walls18 of the switch tops 12 at the opposite coupling member 98 ofFig.

Sii

ends thereof and are connected throughV ra conduit 162 with the control housing 118 and enclose the secondary wires from transformers, not shown, whichare located within theswitch enclosing casings.' f

In accordance with this invention means `are provided whereby the control panel 132 and the housing 118 carried thereby can be mounted in a number ofy different positions relative to the supporting frame work for the switch without changes in the mechanism which interconnects the control mechanism and the actuating mechanism. To this end the actuating mechanism and its enclosing lhousing is adapted to be mounted at the end ofthe row of aligned switch units, as above described, or between any two adjacent switch units, in which case, thel actuating mechanism and its enclosing casing replaces the coupling and enclosing housing therebetween. In F ig. 3, the actuating mechanism is shown between a pair of adjacent switch units in which position the attaching'ears thereof are secured by bolts 94 to the base plates of the adjacent switch frames, the 5 thus re lacing thecoupling member 46 of Fig. 6. terconnecting mechanism between the actuating mechanism and the control panel is also received between the tanks of the adjacent switch units and is supported in a manner similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In accordance with the invention it is'also possible to mount the control panel on the end of the framework. To this end, as shown most clearly in Fig. 11, the bell crank housing 129 is so designed that when it is rotated 90 degrees about the conduit 126 as a pivot from the position shown -in full lines in Fig. 11 into the dotted position, the fianges 130 thereof are in a plane parallel with the rear surface of the end mounted panel 132, thus to permit the attachment thereofl to the back of the control panelexactly as in the case when the panel is side mounted. It will thus be evident that the control panel 132 can be mounted at the side of the frame work either adjacent the end thereof or at two points intermediate the ends or that it may be mounted ateither end of the frame work without changes in the parts constituting the interconnecting mechanism between the control mechanism and the actuating mechanism. If it is desired to mount the control panelfon the oppositeside of the frame work,

and it is not desired to change the frame `t work, this can be accomplishedby rotating the several phase units 180 degrees on the framework, as will be obvious.

kWhen the control apparatusV is mounted on the end of the frame, the lower horizontal end angles 42 are secured to the frame work at a lower point, which is beneath the control housing 46, the holes '164 being provided in angles 34 for this purpose. Simhe in- Y ilarly the angles/10 which are shown in the lower position of Fig. 1 are elevated into position to have secured thereto the lower ends of a pair of diagonal brace members 166 which are bolted at their lower ends to angles 40 and at their upper ends to the side angles 36. Diagonal brace members 168 are provided at the end of the frame work which are welded to the vertical end angles 34, thus to provide a rigidl structure.

The semaphore device, as shown particularly in Figs. 9 and 10, includes a short section of squared shaft 180 which, if desired, may vbe formed as an integral extension of the shaft 22 ofthe end switch unit and is received at one end in the coupling member 98 of the actuating mechanism. Said semaphore also includes an arm 182 having a circular portion 184 received within the housing and having an axial square passage therethrough to receive said shaft 180. Said arm extends outwardly through a. slot in ,the housing 78 and terminates in a normally vertical portion 186. A .pair of spaced vertical arms 187 rbearing the designation Closed on their outer faces are secured by bolts 188 to the vertical portion 186 of said arm. A third and intermediate arm 19() is disposed between said arms 187 and bears the designation Open on both faces. Said arm 190 is sup- `:ported in fixed position on an upstanding plate 192 which is secured by welding to the housing 78. It will be evident that as the shaft 180 is rotated approximately 180 to switch open position, that the arms 187 will be hidden from view by the frame member 38 and by the switch leaving the arm 190 exposed, thus indicating the open position of the switch. When the switch actuating mechanism is located between adjacent switch units, a coupling member 46 and a housing 51 are provided between thesemaphore and the end switch unit.

In Fig. 12 a modified 'form of actuating mechanism is shown in which the crank arm 1.02 and the linkage mechanism is replaced by a gear 170 and a toothed sector 172 which is pivoted on a shaft 174 and which is pivotally connected at 176 intermediate its ends to a clevis 178 which is screw-threaded to the upper end of kthe vertical reciprocable connecting rod 120.

Various changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the scope of the invenion.'

I claim: n

1. The combination of a plurality of electric switches having enclosing casings that are arranged inspaced relation, an operating member which extends through and be yond the casings and from one casing to another for operating all the switches conjointly and actuating mechanism for said operating member having means for connection niediately-adjacent: two ca'sings v 2.Thel combination of-a pluralityoffelectric switches having enclosing casings that are arrangedV in spaced relation inV line,an operating member which extends through the casings and from one .to the other and beyond vwith said operatinmember between any im- Y theend casingofthe line for operatingall Iit fsa

tizia switches conjointly, :and `v'actuating mechanism for said .operating member having means for connection therewithbetween any Vimmediately-adjaceiit'two casings and 'also therewith at the end ofthe line.` Y

3. The combination of'a plurality ofelectric switches, an operating member-which extends between andv is l connected with said switchesfor operating allconjointly, and an actuating mechanism for actuating said operatingimember having an actuating member,

yandineans whereby said actuating member is operatively connected with said operating member between any selected immediatelyadjacent .two switches.

- 4. The? combination of aplur'ality Vof electric'switches having anjoperating member which connects all switches for yconjoint operation, an actuating Amember for said Operatinginember which can enter the space between any immediateiy-adj accnt two switches and have engagement with and operate said operating-member, and actuating mechanism Ifor said'actuating member@ l 5. Thecombination of aplurality of electric switches 'each having an operating member, coupling members connecting'said operating members for conjoint operation, an actuating member for saidconnected operating members having anV actuating coupling member which can be 'substituted for any oneof the-.aforesaid coupling members, and actuating mechanism which operatesk said actuating member and through Vits actuating coupling member all the switches.l

' .6. The .combination of a'plurality of electric switches having an operating memberV that connects all switches Vfor conjoint operation and has connecting means located at the end thereof vand also between each two switchesfor connection with an actuating member, land switch actuating mechanism having-an actuating member that can be connected with any selected one of said connecting means. .Y j

- y7. The combination of a pair of electric switches havino aligned operating shafts an actuatingmechanism for the switchesinclud-l ing an actuating member which operates said shaft and which lalso constitutes means-for coupling the proximate ends 4of said switch operating-shafts together forconj oint rotary inovementj j i SQThe'combination'of a pair of electric switches having alignedv operating shafts, and actuating mechanism commento said switches including an actuating member Ywhich'operates said shafts and which is disposed ybetweenV and connects together theV 'l proXimate'endsv of said operating shafts rfor conjoint movement in the same direction. i

9. An electric switch having in combination'a plurality of separate pole units each having an operating sha-ft, said operating shafts adapted to bearranged in alignment, and.actuatingfmechanism including an actuating member which also constitutes a coupling member` between" the operating shafts of al pair of adjacent pole units.

l0; An electric switch having in combination-'a plurality of pole units each'having a separateY enclosing casing, and an operating shaft, said units being arranged with the ends Y of their respective shafts in'proximity, couv pling members connecting the proximate ends of said operating shafts'for conjoint r0- ta-ry movement, and vactuatingmechanism common to all said units having-an actuating member which constitutes the coupling meinof adjacent units.v

ber between 'the operating shaftsof a pair.

' tion a. pluralityY of Vpole lunits each having an Y enclosing casing and ran operating shaft which eX tends through andfoutwardly beyond the enclosing casing, saidnnits being varranged with theirV operating shafts in alignment, coupling f members connectingA the proximate ends of certain of' said shaftsrfor conjoint rotary movement, andV actuating mechanism common to said units having anY actuating" member which.` constitutes means for coupling saidV actuating mechanism directly to the operating shafts of two of said pole units. Y j

12. An electric switch having in combination a plurality of separate pole units each having an enclosing casing and an operating shaft which extends through andbeyond the side walls of-the casing, coupling members vconnecting the confronting ends of said operating shafts for conjoint rotary movement, and actuatingmechanismI common to all of said units having` an actuating member which is Yinterchangeable with any one of' said coupling members whereby to permit the location of said actuating mechanism between any two of said pole units.

13. An electric switch having in combination a plurality ofV separate pole units each having an operating shaft, said units adapted to be arranged with ztheir respective shafts in alignment, coupling members connecting the proximate ends of said operating shafts, and'actuating'mechanism common to all of said units having an actua-ting member which is interchangeable with the coupling members between said operating shafts whereby to permit said actuating mechanism to replace any one of said coupling members. V

14. An electric switch having in lcombination a plurality of'separate pole units each having an operating shaft, said units adapted to be arranged with their respective shafts in alignment, coupling members connecting the proximate ends of said operating shafts, one of said coupling members having an arm and switch actuatin mechanism operatively connected with sai arm.

15. An'electric switch including a' pair of pole units each having an enclosing casing and an operating shaft extended through and beyond the side walls of said casing, said units adapted to be arranged with their operating shafts in alignment., coupling members connecting the proximate ends' of said shafts for conjoint rotar movement, tubular sleevesmarried by and7 outstanding from the side walls of said casing about the ends of said shafts having peripheral outstanding Vflanges at their proximate ends, and a split housing having upper and lower complemental casing sections which' are adapted to be secured together and in enclosing relation about rand enclosing the flanged ends of said sleeves.

16. An electric switch including a pai-r of separate pole units each having an enclosing casing, and an operating shaft extended through the side Vwalls thereof having squared end portions which are disposed outside said casing, said switch units adapted to be arranged with the operating shafts in alignment, coupling members loosely carried by the proximate end portions of said shafts connecting said shafts together for conjoint rotary operation, tubular sleeves carried by the side walls of said casings enclosing the ends of said coupling members, said sleeves having peripheral outstanding flanges at their proximate ends, and means forming a weather tight closure about the flanged ends of said sleeves including a split housing having upper and lower complemental sections, said sections having complemental semi-circular openings in the side walls thereof adapted to receive said tubular sleeves with the flanged ends thereof within the housing. ,y

17. An electric switch including a pair of separate pole units each having ain enclosing casing and a transverse operating shaft extended through said casing and outwardly be ond the side walls thereof, outstanding tu ular sleeves carried by the side walls of said casing surrounding and spaced from said shafts, a coupling member loosely supported by said shafts and having an operative connection with the proximate ends thereof, said sleeves havin proximate ends thereof terminated in peripheral outstanding flanges, and a housing including upper and lower-complemental sections loosely supported on said sleeves andy enclosing the flanged ends thereof.

18. An kelectric switch having in combination a plurality lof separate pole units each having an enclosing casing and an operating shaft which extends transversely through and terminates in end portions outside of said casing, said switch units adapted to be arranged with their operating shafts in alignment, coupling members carried loosely by the proximate ends of said shafts connecting said units for conjoint operation, and a housing carried loosely by said switch casing arranged to provide a weather tight connection therebetween about said coupling members. f

19. An electric switch having in combination a plurality of pole units each having an enclosing casing and an operating shaft which is extended through and beyond the casing, a frame for supporting said units with their operating shafts in alignment, a semaphore carried by one end of said frame having an operating shaft which is aligned with the operating shafts of said switch units, coupling members connecting the proximate ends of said operating shafts, actuating mechanism including an actuating member which Aalso constitutes a `coupling member connecting'the proximate ends of said switch operating and semaphore operating shafts, a casing enclosing said actuating mechanism, and housings enclosing said coupling members, the housings for said coupling members and the casing for said actuating mechanism being interchangeable, whereby said actuating mechanism and its enclosing casing can replace a coupling member between any two of said switch units.

20. An electric switch having in combination a supporting frame, a plurality of switch units carried by said frame cach having an enclosing casing and an operating shaft which is extended through and beyond the opposite side walls of said casing, coupling members connecting the proximate ends of said operatingr shafts, actuating mechanism common to all of said units and having an op-t erative connection with at least one of said shafts, control means car ied by said frame including a control panel,-means interconnecting said control means with said actuating mechanism, said actuating mechanism and connecting means having provision for yoccupying a plurality of positions relative to the several switch units whereby said control panel can be located in a plurality of positions relative to said frame.

21. An electric switch having in combination a supporting frame, a switch unit carried by said frame having an enclosing casing and an operating shaft extended through and beyond said casing, actuating mechanism operatively connected with said operating shaft at one end thereof, control mechanism including a vertical panel supported by said frame, interconnecting mechanism connecting said control mechanism and actuating mech anism including a housing having a rotatable Aio beyond the'opposite side walls of the casing,- a supporting frame on which said pole units are arranged with the operating shaft thereof in alignment, coupling members connecting the proximate ends of said shafts, enclosing housings for said coupling members carried by adjacent portions of said switch cas- I ings, actuating mechanism common to all of said switch units including a coupling inember and an enclosing housing for said mechanism, the coupling member and housing of said actuating mechanism being interchange- Aable with the coupling members and housings connecting the several switch nuits, whereby to permit the locationof the actuating mechanism between any pair of switch units.

" V23, An electric switch having in combination a plurality of switch units each having a separate enclosing casing and an operating shaft which extends through opposite,

sidewalls of and outwardly beyond said casing, said s witch units being arranged with their respective operating shafts in alignment, coupling lmembers connecting the proximate ends of adjacent operating shafts vfor conjoint rotary movement, actuating mechanism vcommonto all of said units having a coupling member which is operatively connected with at least one of said operating shafts, said coupling member for said actuating mechanism being interchangeable-with the coupling members between the several operating shafts, whereby to permit the actuating mechanism to occupy a position at- V"the end of the aligned operating shafts or between the proximate ends of any twovof said shafts.

24. An electric switch having in combination a plurality of switch units each having a separate enclosing casing and an operating shaft which extends through opposite side wallsof and outwardly beyond said casing, said switch' units being arranged with their respective operating shafts in alignment, coupling members connecting the proximate ends of adjacent operating shafts for conjoint Arotary movement, actuating mechanism common to all of said units having a coupling member which is operatively connected with at least one of said operating shaft-s, said coupling member for said actuating mechanism being interchangeable with the coupling members between the several operating shafts whereby to permit Vthe actuating mechanism to occupy a position at the end of the aligned operating shafts or between the proximate ends of `anyrtwo of said shafts, sleeves carried by the switch casings surrounding the extended ends of the operating shafts thereof having outstanding peripheral flanges atitheir proximateends, and enclosing housings carried loosely, by the confronting sleeves of said casings and enclosing said coupling members and the flanges of said sleeves. Y Y

25; An electric switch having in combination a supporting frame work, a plurality of pole units each having a separate.. enclosing casing and an operating shaft which extends through said casingland terminates outwardly thereof in coupling attaching end portions, sleeves carried by said casings surrounding the extended-ends ,of said operating: shafts having afiuid tight connection with the casing at one yend and having an outstanding peripheral flange at their free ends, coupling ineniberscarried loosely by adjacent end Vportions of said shafts, coupling enclosing housingsV carried loosely by-said sleeves comprising upperand lower complemental sections Vhai'iing coinplemental openings in thek side walls thereofto receive said sleeves with the flanges thereof within said housing, actuatunits including a coupling member. which is adapted to be received on the end portion of an operating shaft of one of 'said switch units, a housing enclosing said coupling nieinactuatinginechanism and the enclosing lionsing therefor being interchangeable with the coupling member and housing connecting any two adjacent operating shafts, whereby to permit the location of said actuating mechanisinrboth at the end of the aligned switch operating shafts-and intermediate the proximate .ends of vany two of said shafts.

26.' An electricswitch having. in combination a supporting frame work,V a plurality of pole units each having an enclosing casing and a transverse operating shaft which extendsV through and outwardly beyond the sidewalls of the casing, said pole units being arranged -on said-frame worl with theoperating shafts thereof in alignment, means coupling the proximate ends lof said operating-shafts togetherfor conjoint operation, actuating mechanism common to all of said pole units having an operative c-onnection Ving mechanism .commento all of said-pole ico Vwith the shaft of at least one of said pole rany two of said operating shafts, control mechanism including a control panel carried by said frame work, said control mechanism'and actuating mechanism adapted to occupy any one of several positions relative to said frame work, and a single mechanism for interconnecting said control and actuating mechanisms in the several positions thereof relative to said frame work.

` 27. An electric switch having in combination a supporting frame work, a plurality of pole units each having an enclosing casing and a transverse operating shaft which extends through and outwardly beyond the side walls of the casing, said pole units being arranged on said frame Work with the operating shafts thereof in alignment, means coupling the proximate ends of said operating shafts together for conjoint operation, a semaphore device mounted on said frame adjacent one end of said aligned operating shafts, actuating mechanism including an actuating member which also constitutes a coupling member connecting said semaphore device with said switch operating shafts, control mechanism including a vertical panel carried by said frame work, switch operating mechanism carried by said panel, mechanisminterconnecting said actuating mechanism and said switch operating mechanism having a connection at one end with said panel and having a vertical pivotal connection at its other end with said actuating mechanism, said pivotal connection being equidistant from the side and end faces of said frame work whereby to permit the location of said control panel either at the side or the end thereof by 90 rotation of said interconnecting mechanism about its pivotal support.

28. A multi-pole electric switch comprising a plurality of juxtaposed aligned operatin shafts, coupling members connecting the juxtaposed ends of said shafts, actuating mechanism common to all of said pole units including a coupling member which is adapted to be operatively connected with one end of said aligned shafts and also to occupy a position between the shafts of adjacent pole units in which it constitutes the coupling member therebetween, control mechanism carried by said frame work including a. vertical panel, switch operating mechanism carried by said panel, and mechanism carried by said panel interconnecting said switch operating mechanism and actuating mechanism, said control mechanism and the interconnecting mechanism carried thereby adapted to occupy any one of several positions relative to said frame in which said actuating mechanism is located between different pole units of the switch.

29. An electric switch including a supporting frame work, a plurality of pole units carried by said frame work each having a separate enclosing casing and an operating shaft which extends through said casing and outwardly therebeyond, said pole units adapted to be arranged with the operating shafts thereof in alignment, coupling members connecting the proximate ends of said shafts, actuating mechanism operatively connected with the operating shafts of at least one of said pole units, a housing enclosing said actuating mechanism, a vertical conduit depending from said housing, control mechanism carried by said frame work including a vertical panel, operating mechanism carried by said panel, a horizontal mechanism housing having one end thereof fixed to the rear face of said panel and having its other end connected with the lower end of said conduit, interconnecting mechanism located within said conduit and housing operatively connecting said actuating mechanism with said control mechanism, said interconnecting mechanism housing and the mechanism therein adapted to be rotated through an angle of 900 about said conduit as an axis whereby to permit the location of said control panel both at the side and the end of said frame work.

30. A multi-pole switch including a plurality of separate pole units each having an operating shaft, the shafts of the several units being disposed in axial alignment with their ends in juxtaposition, the juxtaposed ends of said shafts having rectangular end portions, and an axial coupling member having rectangular axial recesses in its extremities in which the end portions of said shafts are received respectively, each of said shafts having a pair of diametrically opposite faces of its end portions which are received loosely between the corresponding opposed faces of its respective recess, the said loosely disposed faces at one end of one shaft being normal to the planes including the similar faces at the end of the other shaft, whereby to permit a limited universal movement of said shafts at the coupling therebetween.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

HENRY P. PINKHAM. 

